Spokesperson says Trump administration only interested in talking about releasing 3 detained Americans
The White House says it is only interested in talking to North Korea if it is about the release of three Americans held by Pyongyang.
The statement comes a day after Secretary of State Rex Tillerson revealed that the U. S. still has direct channels of communication with North Korean authorities and American officials are seeking a dialogue.
But hours later, Tillerson’s remarks were undercut by President Donald Trump who said Tillerson is “wasting his time” speaking with Pyongyang.
Despite Trump’s remarks, the White House said Monday that the president still has confidence in Tillerson.
Asked at the daily briefing about Tillerson’s remarks, Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said, “now is not the time to talk.”
“The only conversations that have taken place, or that would, would be on bringing back Americans who have been detained like that with Otto (Warmbier, the late U. S. student), those were the type of conversations that this administration was willing to have. Beyond that, there will be no conversations with North Korea at this time.”
That message appeared to conflict with Tillerson’s description to reporters following weekend meetings with Chinese officials in Beijing.
